isna

ISNA Disappointed by President Trump’s Decision to Withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord

(Plainfield, IN 6/2/17) The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is disappointed by President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. As the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases, it is an unwise decision for the United States to disregard the severity of climate change. In the long run, the anticipated negative repercussions of this action will far outweigh any benefits. This decision also puts our planet at risk of the consequences of climate change which disproportionately effect the most vulnerable nationally and globally. It also caused us to lose credibility with other nations and world leaders. As a result, it will lead to negative economic repercussions as it reduces our ability to be competitive in the global market. In a statement, ISNA President Azhar Azeez said: “As Muslims, we find this decision to be a failure to fulfill the responsibility to uphold the sacred trust given by our Creator to be the stewards upon this earth. Through the efforts of our Green Masjid Task Force, ISNA is proud to have become the first American Muslim organization to divest from fossil fuels and champion the efforts to make our masjids environmentally friendly. We are committed to continuing our efforts to protect our environment.” Finally, we are encouraged by the leadership of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a coalition of our nation’s most prominent elected and business leaders at the state and local level for their recommitments to carbon emissions reductions. Their swift and collective action will ensure that as a country, even without the federal government, the United States will meet our Paris Accord commitments made to the world. – END – CONTACT: Faryal M. Khatri, ISNA Communications Department, fkhatri@isna.net